Entomophagy: A Panacea for Protein-Deficient-Malnutrition and Food Insecurity in Nigeria

Abstract

The paper posits that Nigeria like most developing countries is not immune to protein deficiency among its population because of the often prohibitive prices and overdependence on conventional animal protein source which are in limited supply. The consumption of edible insects is a way out of this predicament. Entomophagy is common practice in the tropics only varying with location, insect(s) consumed, and ethnic group. Again, it posits that insects as a source of protein is better than many conventional sources of protein; it juxtaposes the protein value of some edible insects with conventional animal protein sources like beef, pork, fish, eggs, and milk. Furthermore, many advantages that go with entomophagy are indicated. It identified some militating factors against entomophagy, and maintained that people are not eating insects because of prejudices and not because insects are inferior nutritionally. Finally, it offers practical recommendations that could lead to more people consuming insects.

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